Speech at The "Security Industry Dialogue Session"
Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister , Senior Police Officers' Mess
Ms Irene Ng,
Advisor to Union of Security Employees, MP for Tampines GRC
Mr N. Silva,
President, Union of Security Employees
Mr Lim Soo Gee
Chairman of Security Industry Skills and Training Council
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to join you today for the Security Industry Dialogue Session. I would like to first commend the Union of Security Employees or USE for organising this event that brings together the union, associations, Government agencies and security companies for an industry dialogue. It is useful for us to look back at how far the Security industry has progressed and look ahead to how we can build capabilities for the future.
Encouraging Progress
2. Over the last few years, we worked closely with the union and industry leaders to enhance the image and professionalism of the security industry, as well as to upgrade the skills and improve the productivity of the industry. Let me elaborate.
3. In 2006, we introduced the Security Workforce Skills Qualifications System, or Security WSQ, so that security personnel can systematically upgrade their skills and progress in their jobs. To date, some 22,000 workers have been trained under the Security WSQ. This has also enabled us to attract and facilitate new entrants into the industry beyond the rank-and-file level moving into supervisory and PMET jobs.
4. The Security Supervisor Conversion Programme or SSCP, and the Professional Conversion Programme or PCP for Security Executives were offered in April. Two intakes each for SSCP and the PCP have since been run, with a total of 55 trainees undergoing the programmes with attachments. Upon successful completion of the programmes, the trainees will be employed as security supervisors and executives.
5. Together with our tripartite partners comprising the Security Association of Singapore, the Association of Certified Security Agencies, USE, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), the Security Officer Identification Card was launched in August 09. Only officers who have passed the mandatory training under Security WSQ as well as other licensing requirements will be issued with the card. This will further strengthen public confidence and respect for the profession.
6. Going forward, we must continue with these efforts and do more. Despite the economic slowdown, the Security industry remains resilient and continues to face a shortage of skilled manpower to meet the rising demand and sophistication for security. With new tourist attractions such as the Integrated Resorts and major international events like the F1 and Youth Olympics, some 3,500 new security jobs will be created from now till 2011.
ADVANTAGE! - Security Job Re-design
7. I am happy to note that the Security industry has been quick to adapt by taking two bold steps. First, it has embraced the employment and retention of mature workers. Second, it uses technology and new methods to boost productivity and to improve the working environment.
8. Working in consultation with employers, USE and WDA customised the existing ADVANTAGE! scheme for the industry. Called ADVANTAGE! - Security Job Re-design, the scheme helps facilitate the employment of mature workers. To date, 11 companies have signed up for the programme to employ a total of 340 mature workers.
9. One such company is PROSEC. The company introduced an electronic visitor management system that registers and tracks visitors entering their clients' premises. With the system, PROSEC has found it easier to employ mature workers to perform the access control functions, and at the same time improve productivity.
10. Another company which has successfully leveraged on technology to enhance their productivity is Evtec Management Services. Evtec security officers now carry personal digital assistants (PDAs) when carrying out patrolling duties at off-site locations. With the PDAs, the officers are able to record observations, put up incident reports and provide information on the spot and in real time to the control room at its headquarter.
11. The technologies adopted by PROSEC and Evtec are not new, but both companies are able to adopt technology and redesign the job to enhance productivity and facilitate the employment and retention of their workers.
SPUR-JOBS for the Security Industry
12. In May this year, MOM and WDA launched the SPUR-JOBS scheme to encourage and help companies to hire more local skilled workers. To date, 66 companies across different sectors are on board the programme and committed to recruit 900 local workers. For the Security industry, I am pleased to announce that WDA, USE and employers have developed a customised SPUR-JOBS scheme, called SPUR-JOBS for Security, which we are launching today.
13. Under the SPUR-JOBS for Security scheme, security employers can now receive up to $400,000 per company for recruitment, training and job redesign initiatives. We hope that the scheme can bring about three positive impact to further uplift the industry: Better Skilled Workers, Better Working Hours and Better Productivity and Pay.
14. One worker who has benefited from job redesign for better working hours is 40 year-old Mdm Sa'diah Bte Awang. Thanks to the job redesign effort of her employer Evtec, Mdm Sa'diah works on a six-hour split shift daily for six days a week, or a total of 36 hours per week. This has helped Mdm Sa'diah balance her work and family responsibilities. Also, because of the higher productivity that resulted from the job redesign, her salary per hour is higher than what Evtec employees used to be paid for the same job.
Promoting Best Sourcing for Security Industry
15. Security companies cannot implement these improvements at the workplace without the support and buy-in from their clients. To complement the SPUR-JOBS for Security scheme, MOM, WDA and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) are working in partnership to promote best sourcing by buyers through the Best Sourcing Early Adopter Scheme or BEAS.
16. Overall, the customised SPUR-JOBS and best sourcing for Security industry will bring about better work environment, better skills, better performance and better pay. The security workforce will benefit from these improved working conditions and will be motivated to upgrade their skills. This will in turn attract more workers to join this sector.
Conclusion
17. In conclusion, I would like to commend USE, the associations and security companies for your continued efforts and support. I urge security companies to take advantage of the SPUR-JOBS for Security and BEAS schemes for better jobs and higher productivity, which will result in improved competitiveness of your business.
18. I wish you all a fruitful dialogue ahead. Thank you.